§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that thousands of boxes of bacon, weighing four to a ton, have been sold by authority of the Ministry to soapboilers and others at a loss of about £160 a ton; that thousands of boxes, weighing four to the ton, have been sold to the Continent at a loss varying from £ 80 to £140 per ton; that allowances on many thousands of tons of from £5 to £50 per ton have been made to buyers in this country; whether there are still many thousands of tons waiting to be sold to soapboilers and others when they can take them; whether there are further thousands of tons yet to be sold which are certain to lose £50 per ton; and if he will take action in the matter?
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§ Mr. PARKERA considerable number of boxes of bacon requisitioned by the Food Controller in August, 1919, were in bad condition when landed in this country, and have accordingly been sold to soapboilers and others. Further quantities have been exported to the Continent or sold in this country at varying prices below the authorised maxima. As the price to be paid for the bacon is at present the subject of negotiation between the Ministry of Food and the American packers, it is not possible to say what loss, if any, will be incurred. The remaining stock of requisitioned bacon, which is now small, is in the hands of importers to be sold subject to the supervision of committees nominated by all sections of the trade which have the power to reduce prices in order to effect clearance. Action has been taken to prevent further importation of bad bacon by resuming purchase on Government account, I may add that out of approximately 450,000 boxes which have been landed in this country on behalf of the Ministry of Food since the resumption of control, not one has arrived in such a condition as to be, or to become, unfit for food.